MP SPEAKS | Last week, Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein made a public call for the Immigration Department to review the categories of applications heading overseas that can be granted permission directly, without having to apply through ‘MyTravelPass’.

Currently, Malaysia remains in an international ‘lockdown’ mode where not only are our borders closed to foreigners, Malaysian residents are also not allowed to leave the country without ‘valid’ reasons and are subjected to ‘MyTravelPass’ approvals.

We have received numerous complaints about the bureaucratic process of ‘MyTravelPass’ applications as well as the somewhat arbitrary process of approving applications. Many have had to undergo the stress, anxiety and uncertainty of rescheduling trips or worse bearing unnecessary travel expenses due to the application process.

Currently, those who have just been offered a job or entry into an educational institution, are attending meetings or business affairs, and those participating in exhibitions, training or competitions abroad may be approved with an official application, supported with a letter from the relevant regulatory agency.

Other categories are emergency affairs concerning immediate family members due to death or illness, partner visa holder and those participating in humanitarian/religious aid missions.

Travel abroad for all other reasons are barred entirely.

We call upon the National Security Council to go beyond what the defence minister has called for.

The Immigration Department should not...